Ruth Shannon Bellar

Ruth Shannon Bellar, age 96, of Springfield, TN, passed away peacefully on November 23,

2025 in Lakeland, FL,, leaving behind a faithful and faith-filled legacy of Christian devotion and

service. Born on January 11, 1929, in Springfield, TN, Ruth was the only daughter of Dawson

and Lessie Shannon.

Displaying grace, gratitude, even grit, she selflessly served her family, and friends, and her

community throughout her life.

From cradle to grave, Ruth was an active, contributing member of Springfield Baptist Church.

She sang in the choir, and sometimes played piano or organ, from the time she was a teenager

until her mid-80s.

Ruth also had a lifelong love of sports. On the weekends, she wanted to watch her favorite

teams play and keep up with other scores. While she certainly had an affinity for Tennessee

(unless they were playing Vanderbilt, then she rooted for Vandy), any SEC team or rivalry would

do. As her grandchildren went to college, whether football or basketball, she was tickled if she

could find Furman, Samford or Belmont playing on a channel. She rooted for any team

associated with her family, so when her oldest granddaughter married a "Cheese Head," she

started rooting for the Packers. And because of hometown and family ties, she always loved

following the collegiate and professional baseball career of Sonny Gray.

Professionally, many will remember her as a kindergarten teacher at SBC for several years and

then later as a business office assistant at Payne Chevrolet, where she worked even part-time

until the age of 91. The start of the COVID pandemic sent her home, but she embraced the

change with the same resilience and perseverance she carried throughout her life. She then

filled her time with YMCA classes three times a week and church activities until her 94th

birthday when she made the move to Florida's warmer weather and time with family there-a

gift both to her and to those who cherished her. She embraced her new chapter with joy, taking

comfort in the sunshine, playing chair volleyball (she had played in SBC's church volleyball

league when she was in her 70s), and more time spent with Florida loved ones. She also

enjoyed being a part of Long Hollow Church's online worship services on Sunday nights with her

son as they watched and worshiped together.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ruth's greatest joy came from

time spent with her family and being known as "Nandy" to her grands and their friends. Those

who married into the family, she also considered to be "her children." She is survived by her

daughter and son-in-love, Vivian and Kelvin Penuel of White House; her son and

daughter-in-love Don and Lorrie Bellar of Lakeland, FL; grandchildren (including "in-loves"):

Hayley and P. J. Moore of Memphis, Peyton and Julie Penuel of Gallatin, Jordan and Olivia

Bellar of Tampa, Mason and Branden Wilkerson of Lakeland, and Blake Bellar of Nashville; and

eight great-grandchildren: Shepherd, Ruthie, and Bellar Moore; Haddie Penuel; Brayden and

Bryson Wilkerson; and Hudson and Griffin Bellar.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dawson and Lessie Shannon, whom she lovingly

cared for in their aging years; a brother, Douglas Shannon (who was born 17 years prior to her

birth); and her husband of 57 years, Leon Bellar of Springfield, to whom she also was deeply

devoted to throughout an extended illness.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Springfield

Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the

family requests that donations be made to The Gideons International or Springfield Baptist

Church.

Ruth will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, selflessness, generosity, and faith will

continue in all who knew her. Her family and friends find comfort in knowing she is now at peace

and in the presence of Jesus, reunited with those who went before her. She will be deeply

missed and forever loved.

For any who can't attend and would like to join, her service will be livestreamed on the church's

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sbctn1866